Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jean Giraudoux

Role / Field:

Major French dramatist known for poetic fantasy and themes of man and woman.

Born:

1882-10-29

Died:

1944-01-31

Century / Era:

1882s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Hippolyte Jean Giraudoux (; French: [ipɔlit ʒɑ̃ ʒiʁodu]; 29 October 1882 – 31 January 1944) was a French novelist, essayist, diplomat and playwright. He is considered among the most important French dramatists of the period between World War I and World War II. His work is noted for its stylistic elegance and poetic fantasy. Giraudoux's dominant theme is the relationship between man and woman—or in some cases, between man and some unattainable ideal.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Giraudoux was born 29 October 1882 in Bellac, Haute-Vienne, where his father, Léger Giraudoux, worked for the Ministry of Transport. Giraudoux studied at the Lycée Lakanal in Sceaux and upon graduation traveled extensively in Europe. After his return to France in 1910, he accepted a position with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With the outbreak of World War I, he served with distinction and in 1915 became the first writer ever to be awarded the wartime Legion of Honour. He married in 1918 and in the subsequent inter-war period produced the majority of his writing.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He first achieved literary success through his novels, notably Siegfried et le Limousin (1922) and Eglantine (1927). An ongoing collaboration with actor...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. A. Milne — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Abd el-Krim — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Versatile Russian/Soviet writer known for historical and science fiction.
• Aimee Semple McPherson — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Pioneering Pentecostal evangelist, famous for founding the Foursquare Church.
• Al Smith — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Prominent Democratic politician who served as Governor of New York and presidential nominee.
• Alan Parker — Contemporary (Born in 1944) (1944): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• A. J. Ayer — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Andrei Tupolev — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1888): Pioneering Soviet aerospace engineer, renowned for designing over 100 aircraft types.
• Alan Lomax — Shared historical date (01-31 · Born) (1915): Pioneering ethnomusicologist known for preserving global folk music traditions.
• Alexander Ypsilantis — Shared historical date (01-31 · Died) (1828): Greek nationalist, prince, and leader of the Filiki Etaireia during the struggle for independence.
• 1882 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1882
• October 29 (10-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 29
• 1944 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1944
• January 31 (01-31) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 31

Frequently Asked Questions about Jean Giraudoux